Liquid filter



May 13, 1930. c. SHEPPY 1,758,412

LIQUID FILTER Filed Jan. 26, 1926 1N VENTOR 'i 5 mi I -76/37 I %Q I ATTOR N 5Y5 Patented May 13, 1930 UNITED STA E PATEN'TJOFFICIE CHARLES L. SHEPPY, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TQTHE PIERCE ARROW MOTOR, CAR COMPANY, BUFFALO, NEW YORK V mourn rim-En Application .flled January 26, 1926. Serial No. 83,905;

This invention relates-to improvements in liquid filters, and more particularly to a fil-' tering device designed for use on motor vehicles in connection with the pressure lubrieating systems of the same, for filtering or cleaning the lubricating oil substantially continuously during the operation of the lubricating system so as to rid the oil of carbon and other impurities. The oil filterso heretofore used or proposed for the purpose stated have been of complicated or expensive construction, or are not capable of being readily cleaned when the filtering media become cloggedflor fouled with the impurities separated from the oil, and it a matter of considerable inconvenience :or expense to clean or renew the filtering media, so that as a consequence, the media are not cleaned or replaced as frequently as they should be, and

2c the filters fail to operate efliciently or cease to function altogether. 4

The objects of my invention are to produce a practical and desirable filter which is of simple and inexpensive construction, but

which nevertheless will insure eflicient filtering of the oil, and which can be quickly and easily cleaned when the filtering mediumbecomes clogged or its filtering action impeded by the impurities in the oil, so as to render the filter again effective; also to construct the filter so that air or other fluid under pressure can be readily applied for blowing or forcing the oil in a reverse direction through the filtering medium to rid it of impurities withoutthe necessity of removing or disturbing the filtering medium or element, and to enable this to be done by a simple'operation of valves which control the flow of the oil through the filter; also to arrange and mount 40 the filtering mediumor element in the device in such a manner that it can be readily removed as a unit from the filter casing for a cleaning or renewing the filtering medium when this may become necessary; also to construct and arrange the filtering element so that the filtering medium, which preferably consists of a single-piece or sectional annular body of felt or other suitable fibrous material, can'be quickly and easily assembled and secured on a supporting tube or screen which,

with the filtering body mounted thereon, can i be readily placed in position in and removed as a unit from the filter casing; also to con- .to improve the construction of filters for oil or other liquids in the other respects hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

' Fig. 1 is a side elevation on a reduced scale, of a filter embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation thereof on an enlarged scale on line 2-2, Fig. 1. t

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the tubular screen or support and securing means for the filtering disks.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of the device on line 4-4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view thereof on line 55, Fig. 2.

The filter comprises an enclosing casing or container and an annular filtering element which is removably secured in the casing between opposite parts thereof so as to form in the casing an outer liquid space surrounding the filtering element and an inner liquid space centrally within the filtering element, and

liquid supply and discharge connections whereby the liquid is admitted to one of said spaces, preferably the outer annular space and is forced through the filtering element into the other liquid space from which the liquid discharges through the discharge connections. The casing is also provided with a settling chamber in which the sediment or impurities filtered out of the liquid are adapted to settle, and from which the impure liquid and sediment can be readily drained off. Provision is also made whereby the filtering medium can be ,cleared of impurities by means of air or fluid pressure applied so as to cause a reverse flow of the liquid through the filtering medium.

In the preferred construction of the filter shown in the drawings, the casing comprises a base 10 a cap or cover 11 and an open ended, preferably cylindrical shell 12, which is clamped between the base and cover so as to form a closed container. The base is provided with a Wall or-diaphragm 13 which forms in the base a liquid settling chamber 14 and a central liquid flow or discharge chamber 15, the wall 13 being provided near its outer edge or periphery with one or more openings 16 through which the liquid can pass from the settling chamber 14 into the body of the casing, or descend from the latter into the settling chamber. Also, the base is preferably provided with .an upwardly projecting, peripheral flange 17. within which the lower end of the shell 12 is removably seated on a suitable packing gasket 18 on the wall at the inner side of the flange. The cover 11 preferably has an annular groove which the upper end of the shell 12 is adapted to enter to seat against a packing gask'et19 in' the groove to form a liquid tight joint between the upper'end of the shell and the cover. The cover is secured in place so as to clamp the shell. 12 between the same and the base by suitable means, preferably consisting of a tie rod 20 which is screwed at its lower end into a threaded central socket in the base and extends up through a central hole in the cover, and a wing or other nut 21 screwed on the upper end of the tie rod and adapted to press down the cover. By tightening this nut, the cover is forced down upon the upper end of the shell, the latter being thereby clamped firmly against its seat in the base, forming liquid-tight joints between the opposite ends of the shell and the base and cover.

The filtering element comprises an upright perforate tube or screen 22, preferably made of wire mesh fabric, and an annular body 23 of a suitable filtering material such as felt,

, preferably made with the fibers or grain extending more or less radiallv. or so as to enable the requisite flow of the oil or liquid radially through the annular filtering body, preferably from the outer to the inner periphery thereof. The annular filtering body can be made in a single piece or in sections or disks sleeved on the supporting tube end to end and held thereon betweenretaining rings or members 24 at the opposite ends of the perforate tube. Preferably a flanged circular plate or strengthening member 25 is soldered or otherwise permanently secured in each end of the perforate tube, whereby the tube is strengthened and retained in the intended cylindrical form, and the retaining rings24 are slipped over the ends of the tube and removably secured in place as by means of cotter pins 26 passing through holes in the ends of the tube and in the flanges of the end plates 25. The filtering disks canthus be readily slipped on the supporting tube and secured thereon by fastening the retaining rings 24 in place, the filtering disks being compressed together somewhat when securing them on the tube, so that they will be firmly clamped together between the retaining rings. If necessary, the contacting faces of the filtering disks can also be cemented together to form a single, continuous filtering body and prevent leakage of the liquid through the joints between the disks. Instead of making the filtering body of the separate sections secured face to face, as shown, it could be made or molded in a singlepiece tube, but it isconsidered that better results are secured by the described sectional construction, owing to the difliculties of producing the single-piece, continuous filtering tube of felt or the like material.

The annular filtering element thus formed is removably clamped in place in the filter' casing between the base 10 and the cover 11, which are preferably provided with annular ribs or projections 27 adapted to bear against the opposite end of the com ressible annular filtering body. These ribs 2 of the base and cover which engage the ends of the compressible filtering material are so disposed with reference to the seats in the base and cover for the apposite ends of the shell 12, that when the cover 11 is tightly secured on the shell, the ribs 27 will compress the filter- .ing material between them and firmly clamp the filtering element in place in the casing and form liquid-tight joints between the opposite ends of the filtering element and the base and coverrespectivelyofthecasing. Netertheless, by this construction. when the cover 11 is removed, the filtering element is released and can be withdrawn as a unit through the open,

upper end of the casing. Thus, to secure the filtering element in the casing, it is only necessary to place the same in the casing in which it is held centrally by the'tie rod 20, and place and secure the cover 11 in position; and to remove the filtering element, it is only necessary to release and remove the cover, when the filtering element can be'immediately withdrawn through the open end of the casing without the necessity for releasing or operating any additional securing means. This permits the filtering element to be readily taken out of the filter and washed witha suitable solvent to remove any sediment or impurities therefrom, or when necessary, to remove the filtering body from the supporting tube and replace it by a new or clean filtering body. I

When the filtering element is secured centrally in place in the casing, as explained, an outer, annular liquid space 28 is formed in the casing surrounding the annular filtering element, and an inner liquid space 29 is formed within the filtering element, said spaces communicating with each other only through the pores of the filtering element. The inner space'29 communicates at its lower end with the flow or discharge chamber '15 in the base, and the outer space 28 communicates pipe or connection with the oil pressure sysby the openings 16 with the inlet or settling tem between the usual pressure gage and the chamber 14 in the case, so that liquid can flow usual pressure regulating valve or device, from the inlet or settling chamber 14 through While the outlet 34 for the filtered liquid is the openings 16 into the outer liquid s ace 28 joined by a suitable pipe or connection with and pass through the filtering material into the engine crank case or oil pump chamber. the inner space and discharge throughthe By these connections a portion of the oil discharge chamber 15." passes continuously through the filter and is A liquid inlet connection 30 equipped with cleaned'during the operation of the lubricata controlling valve 31 is connected to the casing system, the pressure of the oil in the filter ing, preferably to the base 10 so as to admit varying with variations of pressure in the the liquid to the inlet or settling chamber 14, system. It is not necessary to disconnect any and a liquid discharge connection or fitting of the oil connections for cleaning out the 32 is preferably secured to the base in comfilter by means of air or fluid under pressure, munication with a passage 33 in the base but simply to connect the air supply tube to leading to the discharge chamber 15. In orthe admission nipple 35 and adjust the valves der to permit the filter to be readily flushed as before explained. Neither is it necessary or cleaned by the admission of fluid under to disturb any of the fluid connections for repressure without removing the filtering elemoving and replacing the filtering element. ment, the discharge connection 32 preferably The air admission nipple 35 also serves as a h t b h or i l 34 and 35 on. convenient means for indicating whether the trolled by a two-way valve 36 of any suitable Oil is passing through the filter, it being only construction. When this valve is moved to necessary to turn the valve 36 to .open th one position the nipple 34 is connected with nipple and observe Whether or not oil disthe discharge passage 33 so as to permit the charges therefrom. If oil does not then disdischargeof filtered liquid from the discharge h ge it ShOWS tha the filter is Clogged and chamber 15, and when the valve is moved to needs leaning.

another position, it closes the liquid discharge 8 i di s an il Vent 00k 011 the Cover nipple and places the oth r ni l 35 i n- 11 of the filter casing; When first starting 'nection with the discharge a g B th the operation of the filter this vent is preferadjusting the valve to the latter position, if ly pe ed to permit the escape of air from the liquid inlet valve 31 is closed and a comthe l r ing so th leSS time Will he repressed air supply tube 01' pipe is connected quired to fill the outer liquid space 28 With with the air admission nipple 35, air or other the Oil Secure h maximum effi iency f fluid under pressure can be forced into the the filterv y p ni g this Vent it is also posfilter through the liquid discharge passage Sihle to q i k y drain e l' gh h so as to drive the liquid back or in a reverse in C kWI Out supplylng air or fluid undireetion through the filtering material from (161' pressure through the pressure admlssion the inner liquid space 29 through the filtering "l l i I material to the outer liquid space 28 surround- I Chum hy Invention ing the annular filtering element. and thereby a q l filter; the 001111011121131011 Of n free the filtering'elementfrom impurities or enclosing caslng'havlng e v le v r, sediment whi h ay r or l l th an annular filtering element of compressible same. Before admitting th ai pressure, a resilient, coherent self shape retaining filterdrain cock 37 connecting with the bottom of g material p at both ends and ng the settling chamber is first opened so that in aldcasing to form an outer liquid space in the air or fluid pressure will drive the liquid the pg rljo ndlng said filtering elementeth h th outer li id Space 28, th and an inner liquid space within the filtering settling chamber and the drain cock. Thus, element, means for forcing said cover to a the filtering element can be cleared of obtight Seat on 'q n saidCQVer and an structing material without removing the same PPQ P of said i g lg' 511111111511 from the casing. If the filtering element has PQ Whld} Press (mule pp ends of become so badly fouled with solid matter to Sald COmPI'BSSIbIB fl element and act pr v nt it f o b i ff t ll d d i when the cover is forced to its seat on the casthis manner, the element can be removed from 1 g to Compress and mp Sald annular filter the casing as before explained, and cleaned .lngelement betwefin pp Parts of the by soaking it in a suitable solution, or if nec- 3 and g Jolnts between the ends essary, the filtering element can be replaced Of he i r ng e ement nd the easing parts by a new or clean element. contacting therewlth, and connections for ad- As before explained, the filter described is mitting liquid to one of said liquid spaces and primarily designed for use on a motor vehicle discharging it from the other liquid space. in connection with the lubricating system 2. In a liquid filter, the combination of an thereof, for filtering the oil during the operaenclosing casing having a closed end and an tion of the vehicle. When so used, the inlet open' end, a removable cover for said open 30 for the impure oil isjoined by a suitabl end, an annular filtering elementof compressbetween said cover and the closed end of the ible resilient, coherent self shape retaining 'filtering material open at both ends and arranged in said casing between said closed end and cover and forming an outer liquid space in the casing surrounding said filtering element and an inner liquid s ace within said filtering element, means for orcing said cover to a tight seat on the open end of said casing, said cover and closed end of the casing press ing directly a ainst the opposite ends of said compressible filtering element and acting by the forcing of said cover to aseat on the casing to compress and clamp the filtering element an annular filtering element arranged in saidcasing on said wall and forming an outer liquid space surrounding said element and communicating with said settling chamber and an inner liquid space within said filtering element which communicates with said liquid flow chamber, a removable cover which closes the open end of said casing and the upper ends of said-outer and inner liquid spaces and directly engages and removably clamps said filtering element in place, said filtering element being released and removable from the casing by removing said cover and directly engaged and clamped by the cover while closing, liquid inlet and discharge connections one communicating with said outer liquid space and the other withsaid liquid flow chamber, and a drain cock for draining the liquid from said settling chamber.

4. In a liquid filter, the combination of a casing having one end closed and a removable cover at the opposite end of the casing having a relatively fixed seat, and an annular filtering element arranged in said casing and forming in the casing an outer liquid space surrounding said element and an inner liquid space within said element, said element comprising a perforate supporting tube and an annular body of compressible coherent self shape retaining filtering material removably secured on said tube, said filtering element being open at both ends and removably clamped in said. casing between saidclosed end and said fixed seat of the cover of said casing which directly engage and close the opposite ends of said compressible filtering body and compress it when the cover is closed, and said element being released and removable as aunit when said cover is opened said casing'having a passage leading through said chambers, an annular compressible filtering element removably arranged in said casing upon said seat and forming an outer liquid space surrounding said element and communicating with said settling chamber and a separateinner liquid space within said filtering element communicating with said liquid discharge chamber, said casing having an open top through which said element may be removedor inserted, and a removable cover normally closing said open top and having a seat fixed relatively thereto and movable therewith to en gage said element and compress it firmly against-said annular seat by the act of closing said cover on said casing, a drain cock leading from said-settling chamber, a liquid inletconnection communicating with said outer liquid space and provided with a controlling valve, an outlet connection leading to said discharge chamber, and means by which said outlet connection may be shut off and fluid under pressure admitted to said discharge chamber, whereby when said inlet and outletconnections are shut ofi and said drain cock is opened, said fluid may be passed through said element in a direction to dislodge solid matter from the inlet surface of said filter and remove it from the casing through said drain cock.

.6. In a liquid filter, a closed casing at least one end of which is removable to permit access to the interior ofthe casing, a tubular, compressible, resilient filter element of self'shape retaining material disposed in said casing and directly clamped under pressure between the ends thereof by the closing of the removable end, said element being spaced, along at least the major portion of its lateral peripheral surfa'ce,.from the easing to form a chamber around the element, the contact of the ends of the casing with the ends of said element closing communication between said chamber and the interior space of said tubular element, said casing having separate fluid passages leading to the interior space of said element and to said chamber, whereby a fluid passing through said casing between said. passages will be forced to travel through said element.

7. In a liquid filter, a closed easing, at least one end of which is removable to permit access to the interior of the casing, a tubular screen disposed endwise in said casing, flange members, atleast one of which is removable, provided on the end portions of said screen, and a tubular filter member mounted on said screen and confined against removal therefrom by said flan e members, one end of the casing having a fiuid passage with an opening into the casing aligned with and larger than the screen to permit entrance therein of one of said flange members, the other end of the casing having a cavity to receive the opposite end of the screen and flange member thereon, the ends of the casing around the screen and flange members bearing against the ends of the filter member to clamp the filter member under pressure between the ends of the casing and close communication between the inside and outside of the filter member at its ends, removal of one end of the casing permittin removal of the screen and filter member, sai filter member being spaced largely along its lateral peripheral surface from the casing to provide a chamber, and said casing having a fluid passage connection to said chamber.

8. In a liquid filter, a closed casing, at

least one end of which is removable to permit access to the interior of the casing, a tubular screen disposed endwise in said casing, flange members, at least one of which is removable, provided on the end portions of said screen, a tubular filter member mounted on said screen and confined against removal therefrom by; said flanige members, one end of the casing aving a uid passage with an opening into the casing aligned with the screen, the other end of the casing having a cavity to receive the opposite end of the screen and flange member thereon, the ends of the casing around the screen and flange members bearing against the ends of the filter member to clamp the filter member under pressure between the ends of the casing and close communication between the inside and outside of the filter member at its ends, a tie member extending between said casing ends, anchored to one casing and passing thruthe other casing end, and means on the anchored end of the tie member adjustable thereon to clamp said removable end to the body of the casin and compress the filter member between t e casing ends, removal of one end of the casing permitting removal of the screen and filter member, said filter member being spaced largely along its lateral periph eral surface from the casing to provide a Chamber, and said casing having a fluid passage connection to said chamber.

9. In a liquid filter, a closed casing, one end of which is removable to permit access to the interior of the casing, a stem extending from the closed end of the casing lengthwise within the casing and through the removable end, a cylindrical screen having rings fitted therein, at spaced points along the same, and slidingly engaging said stem to position said screen, a resilient and compressible filtering medium confined on the exterior of said screen and abutting against the closed end of the casing when placed within the casing with said screen mounted on said stem, and means acting between said stem and the removable end of the casing for clamping said removable end firmly to the casing and said filtering medium between said ends to close the space between the outside of said filtering medium and the screen, said casing having passages leading to the interior of said screen and the space surrounding said medium, whereby liquid may be forced through said filtering medium.

10. In a liquid filter, a closed casing having a removable end to permit access to the interior of the casing, a tubular screen disposed endwise in said casing and removable therefrom, self shape retaining filtering material confined on and compressible along said screen to peripherally enclose the same, and means for clamping said removable end in closed position on said casing without rotation of the removable end, said removable end directly engaging and compressing said filtering medium and clam ing it under compression against the opposite end of the easing as the removable end is drawn into closed position on said casing, said casing having a passage leading to the interior of said screen, and another passage leading to the portion of said casing surrounding said medium, whereby a liquid may be forced through said medium.

' 11. Ina liquid filter, a filter element comprising a tubular mat-like body of coherent fibrous material of self shape retaining properties, with a large proportion of the fibres thereof arranged somewhat radially of the thereof.

CHARLES L. SHEPPY. 

